Make Healthy Food Choices and Lose Weight – Breastcancer.org

There is no magic bullet or single food that will make you lose weight quickly. In fact, the safest way to lose weight is to do it slowly — about a pound a week.
Go for variety. Buy a new fruit, vegetable, or whole-grain product each time you shop for groceries, to keep from getting bored.
Limit sugar, salt, refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice, and alcohol.
Limit smoked or pickled foods. They tend to have a lot of salt and nitrates.
Eat small portions (no more than 6 to 7 ounces a day) of lean meat or poultry without the skin.
Eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Eat at least 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day and 3 ounces or more of whole grains. You will feel full longer and may be less tempted by junk food.
Cover your plate with nutrient-dense, fresh foods. Fill two-thirds of your plate with fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans, and one-third or less with meat and dairy products.
Drink water or drinks with little added sugar if you're hungry between meals, eat fruit, unsalted nuts or vegetables. Avoid lemonade, sweetened ice tea, and juices.
Keep fresh, nutrient-dense snacks on hands, such as:
carrot and celery sticks
bite-sized pieces of broccoli, cauliflower, or other vegetables
unsalted nuts
apple slices
raisins
orange sections
peach slices
frozen berries
whole-grain pretzels
air-popped popcorn
flavored decaffeinated coffee
fruit tea or herbal tea
water flavored with lemon or lime
broth or bouillon
Cooking oil in baking recipes
Applesauce
Sour cream on baked potatoes
Fat-free yogurt
Whole milk
Skim milk
Ice cream
Fat-free frozen yogurt
Butter
Fat-free soft margarine
Go in with a plan. Look at menus before you go (you can find some on web sites) and decide where and what to eat. Many chain restaurants offer healthy menu options that follow Weight Watchers or other eating plans.
Avoid casseroles. They often have sugary or salty sauces and lots of cheese.
Choose steamed, baked, or boiled vegetables, rather than those in sauces or with cheese.
Choose beverages without added sugar. A 12-ounce glass of soda pop has about 10 teaspoons of sugar per serving. Water has zero.
Avoid alcohol. Alcoholic beverages have no nutrients. And after you have one or two you may be more tempted to order dessert or a plate of nachos.
Ask for sauces, dressings, butter, and sour cream on the side so you can control how much you use. Or ask for your dish to be made without sauce or cheese.
Order each item separately (a la carte), so you can get everything prepared how you want it, rather than ordering a combination plate with less flexibility.
Don't eat mindlessly. Ask the waitperson to remove the bowl of chips/bread/peanuts after you've had a small portion.
Order regular sizes instead of jumbo or super sizes.
Order meat/seafood that is broiled or baked rather than pan-fried or deep-fried.
Order an appetizer portion instead of a meal-size portion. Many restaurants offer the same dishes in both sections of the menu.
Wrap it up. Ask for half of your entree to be wrapped up to go when you order. Eat it for lunch the next day.
Share an entree with a friend and order an extra side salad with the dressing on the side.

— Last updated on June 29, 2022, 3:08 PM
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